1 16 DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND HAIK3. 



With very few exceptions, if any, all skin diseases are curable, 

 but some, depending on constitutional causes, recur at perio- 

 dic intervals. 



Cutaneous disorders are cured in two ways: Firstly by the 

 employment of systemic remedies, which are either evacu- 

 ants, tonics, or specific remedies; secondly, by means of local 

 remedies, which are curative or palliative in their effects. 



Systemic remedies. Amongst the evacuants we must re- 

 gard purgatives as probably the most important. Diapho- 

 retics are often of great service, but they may do harm. 

 The hot-air bath, followed by a cold douche, seems to be 

 beneficial in most cutaneous disorders, but its effects are 

 most marked when used in combination with purgatives. 

 It is indispensable to clear out the bowels, and to keep them 

 regular by judicious diet. Different purgatives are used, 

 according to the animal treated. Aloes must be preferred 

 for the horse, sulphates of magnesia or soda for cattle, castor- 

 oil and syrup of senna or buckthorn for the smaller animals. 

 Sulphur is a valuable laxative in skin diseases. 



Animals that are reduced by a skin disease, or in which 

 the cutaneous eruption is really a symptom of weakness, 

 require tonics, and the best of these are the preparations of 

 iron. The diet must be liberal in such cases, but never in 

 excess, and whatever food is allowed should be given with 

 regularity. 



Of the specific remedies in chronic diseases, none can ex- 

 ceed in value arsenic, and especially the liquor potassse arse- 

 nitis, which proves an admirable systemic restorative in all 

 cases in which chronic congestion and irritation of the skin 

 exist, independently of any active agent operating locally on 

 this structure. 



The local remedies are sufficient for the cure of some 

 simple inflammations of the skin, and those diseases induced 



